September 2017 Issue of Becker's Spine Review
ON THE COVER
8 Trends in Spine, Orthopedics and ASCs over the Next 5 Years
Orthopedic and spine surgeons around the country are beginning to perform outpatient procedures, including total joints and spinal fusions, and many of these procedures can be performed in an ambulatory surgery center. Click to Continue >>
Rothman Institute Merges with Trenton Orthopaedic Group: 4 Key Points
Philadelphia-based Rothman Institute merged with Trenton Orthopaedic Group in Mercerville, N.J., to create Trenton Orthopaedic Group at Rothman Institute. Click to Continue >>
Zimmer Biomet CEO David Dvorak Exits After 10 Years
David Dvorak stepped down as CEO of Zimmer Biomet and the company is conducting a search for his replacement. In the interim, Senior Vice President and CFO Daniel P. Florin will act as CEO. Click to Continue >>
SPINE LEADERS
American Spine Center’s Dr. Atif Malik Will Receive 2 Trials for Kickback, Tax Crime Accusations — 8 Key Points
Atif Babar Malik, MD, of Frederick, Md.-based American Spine Center, will face two separate trials for allegedly receiving kickbacks and participating in a tax fraud scheme, The Frederick News-Post reports. Click to Continue >>
The Most Exciting Opportunities in Outpatient Spine
Five spine surgeons weigh in on the opportunities outpatient procedures afford providers. Click to Continue >>
The Future of Spine Biologics — Where 4 Spine Surgeons See it Heading
Here four spine surgeons weigh in on the future of biologics in spine. Click to Continue >>
The Essential Traits of Successful Spine Surgeon Leaders
Nine spine surgeons discuss the personality traits that govern spine surgeon success. Click to Continue >>
Oregon Jury Awards $4.5M after Failed Spine Surgery Affects Patient’s ‘Love Life’: 5 Things to Know
An Oregon jury awarded the plaintiffs in a failed spine surgery case $4.5 million after a procedure "seriously altered [the patient's] sex life with his wife," according to a report in The Oregonian. Click to Continue >>
How Dr. Michael Vitale is Changing Treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Although surgical techniques continually improve over the years, conservative approaches are gaining steam. Click to Continue >>
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
6 Biggest Revenue Cycle Challenges in 2017 for Spine, Orthopedic Surgeons
This year brings new revenue cycle challenges for spine and orthopedic surgeons, according to Lisa Rock, president of National Medical Billing Services. Click to Continue >>
CMS Proposes 1.9% Increase in 2018 ASC Pay, Adding Total Joint Replacements — 5 Insights
CMS released a proposed rule that would update the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and the Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System. Click to Continue >>
Oklahoma Orthopedic Practice Pays for Billing Irregularities in $1.5M Settlement: 7 Things to Know
Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center-Norman (Okla.) found a billing problem in August 2016, according to The Norman Transcript. Click to continue >>
3 Most Important Points on Physician Employment Contracts
The three most important issues in negotiating employment contracts generally include. Click to Continue >>
What % of Orthopedic Surgery Patients Report Unused Opioids? 5 Points
Opioid use is a pervasive problem and many Americans abuse and misuse these prescription medications daily. Click to Continue >>
Hospital for Special Surgery, Stamford Health Orthopedics Partnership Gaining Steam: 6 Insights
New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery and Stamford (Conn.) Health entered a partnership in February to create HSS Orthopedics at Stamford Health, according to Westfair Online. Click to Continue >>
EXECUTIVE BRIEFING
How Self-Funded Health Plans Boost Patient Satisfaction with Medical Innovation
Imagine the world where employers support and pay for medical innovation by directing employees to providers who use clinically and economically proven medical innovation. Click to Continue >>
23 Cutting-Edge Spine Surgery Devices to Know | 2017
Spine technology continues to evolve at a fast pace. Significant development focused on less disruptive procedures allows surgeons to perform a quicker, safer and less costly procedure than ever before. Click to Continue >>
Under the Microscope: How Nano-Level Surface Technology Helps Improve Early Patient Outcomes and Surgeon Income in the New Incentivized Pay-for-Performance Era
Titan Spine’s nanoLOCK® surface technology helps patients heal faster, benefiting both patients and spine surgeons who, in the new era of pay-for-performance healthcare, are rewarded for faster healing with fewer complications, readmissions, revisions and other performance-based metrics. Click to Continue >>
How to Save OR Time and Cost Per Case While Performing Successful Spinal Fusions
Many surgeons use a high-speed drill for bone removal while performing spinal surgery.
Finally, A Single-Use, Sterile Packed ACDF Kit Simplified for OR Efficiency, Introducing the Zavation STERICERVTM Cervical Instruments Kit
Operating room efficiency and cost reduction is a focus area for streamlining hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. Click to Continue >>
OUTPATIENT SURGERY
How to Set Up Total Joint and Spine Programs at ASCs — And What to Expect From Insurers in 3-5 Years
Surgeons across the country are beginning to perform outpatient total joint replacements and spine surgery in an ASC. Click to Continue >>
Environmental Cleanliness in an Ambulatory Care Setting: 5 Things to Know
Despite their best efforts, infection and prevention leaders can struggle to keep facilities, especially in ASCs, due to limited resources available to implement a standardized environmental cleaning program. Click to Continue >>
5 Shifting Trends Affecting ASC, Physician Practice Valuation
Ambulatory surgery centers and physician practices are facing a number of unique challenges in today's healthcare landscape, noted VMG Health Managing Director Aaron Murski, at Becker's 15th Annual Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine, June 22 to June 24 in Chicago. Click to Continue >>
Is Outpatient TJR the New Frontier for Orthopedics? 4 Surgeons Discuss
Four total joint replacement surgeons weigh in on the trajectory of total joint procedures in the outpatient setting. Click to Continue >>
37 Orthopedic and Spine Device Companies to Know
Here are 37 orthopedic and spine device companies to know. Click to Continue >>
DEVICES AND IMPLANTS
Stryker Reports 6.1% Q2 Growth, Installs 26 Mako Systems: 7 Things to Know
Stryker reported a 6.1 percent net sales growth for the second quarter of 2017, and raised full-year guidance due to strong performance. Click here to Continue >>
No Fusion, No Problem — How Coflex is Changing the Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment Field
Within the lumbar degenerative market, lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) often progresses in patients over time. Click here to Continue >>
Medtronic, DePuy Synthes, Stryker & More: 45 Device Company Key Notes
45 key notes on orthopedic and spine device companies.
NuVasive Loses COO, CFO and Promotes 3 Executives Amid Organizational Restructuring
NuVasive's President and COO Jason Hannon is stepping down from his role with NuVasive after 12 years and the company announced organizational restructuring which will take effect Aug. 1. Click to Continue >>
HEALTHCARE NEWS
U.S. News: Top 20 Hospitals for Pediatric Orthopedics
Here are the top 20 U.S. children's hospitals for pediatric orthopedics, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Click to Continue >>
‘You Can Do Good And Do Well’ — DuPage CEO Michael Kasper on Transforming Healthcare
Many hospitals are reacting to the current state of the healthcare industry by scurrying to deliver as many services and enter as many markets as possible. Click to Continue >>
MD Anderson Eliminates EVP Roles
Houston-based MD Anderson Cancer Center will institute a new organizational structure that eliminates executive vice president roles and gives senior vice presidents more focused areas of responsibility. Click to Continue >>